Trey's TealogTrey's tealog on Steepsterhttp://steepster.com/
Coconut Pouchong from Golden Moon TeaI'm just finishing off a sampler of this tea that I received from Steepster a while back. This is the first of my Steepster sampler bags that I have finished off. While drinking this, I could get over half a dozen steepings out of this tea throughout the day.
I am usually not a fan of pouchong nor flavored teas, but this one was good. The coconut flavor works really well and makes this a very addicting tea.Mon, 18 Jun 2012 13:39:29 -0400/teas/Coconut%20Pouchong/3285-coconut-pouchong?note=117791
Dragonwell Style Laoshan Green: 2012 Spring Harvest from Verdant TeaThe gong fu brewing method is the only one that works well for me when brewing this tea. I steep for a few seconds with very low temperature water at first (about 165 F) and then increase the steeping time by a few seconds and occasionally increase the water temperature by 5 to 10 degrees.Fri, 03 Aug 2012 10:45:06 -0400/teas/Dragonwell%20Style%20Laoshan%20Green:%202012%20Spring%20Harvest/27834-dragonwell-style-laoshan-green-2012-spring-harvest?note=123812
Laoshan White from Verdant TeaThis is currently my favorite unflavored (camellia sinensis only) white tea.
I tried this tea iced recently and I think I like it even better than hot. It didn't lose as much character when iced as most of the iced teas I've tried.
To ice the tea, I cold steeped it in the refrigerator and used about 8 oz of tea for 24 oz of water at first. I then diluted slowly diluted the tea as needed when drinking and resteeping. I got between 60 and 80 oz of refreshing iced tea out of the leaves over 3 days by this cold steeping method.Fri, 21 Sep 2012 14:49:59 -0400/teas/Laoshan%20White/27833-laoshan-white?note=130926
Chocolate Chamomile Curiosity Brew from Verdant TeaSat, 06 Oct 2012 12:40:44 -0400/teas/Chocolate%20Chamomile%20Curiosity%20Brew/25657-chocolate-chamomile-curiosity-brew?note=133376
Wild-Picked Yunnan Jin Jun Mei from Verdant TeaSat, 06 Oct 2012 13:03:38 -0400/teas/Wild-Picked%20Yunnan%20Jin%20Jun%20Mei/26671-wild-picked-yunnan-jin-jun-mei?note=133379
Wild-Picked Yunnan Jin Jun Mei from Verdant TeaI steeped 3 oz. of this in a medium gaiwan (4 oz.) with boiling water for 3 seconds per infusion.
The initial taste definitely has a buttery or creamy mouth feel. The first sips of each cup taste light and feel smooth. Towards the end of each cup I notice a slightly bitterness that lingers after each sip. This aftertaste is not a smokey bitterness so much as an over-steeped bitterness.
I may have over-steeped this tea or maybe I should have used cooler water. This may be the first black tea that I have over-steeped gongfu style.
I do enjoy the initial taste of each cup. I will try steeping in cooler water next time.Sat, 06 Oct 2012 13:04:24 -0400/teas/Wild-Picked%20Yunnan%20Jin%20Jun%20Mei/26671-wild-picked-yunnan-jin-jun-mei?note=133380
Chocolate Chamomile Curiosity Brew from Verdant TeaThis tea is bold, minty, flowery, and slightly spicy. I enjoy this tea quite a bit on its own but I just found out I **really** like it mixed with Laoshan Black. I used 1 tsp. Chocolate Chamomile Curiosity and 1 tsp. Laoshan Black. The result was a tea that is smoother and stronger than Chocolate Chamomile Curiosity but much more flavorful and interesting than Laoshan Black on its own.
This tea is also very interesting as an iced tea. I do think it's slightly too herbal on its own for my liking. I haven't tried mixing it with Laoshan black while icing but I imagine it would also be wonderful.Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:37:01 -0400/teas/Chocolate%20Chamomile%20Curiosity%20Brew/25657-chocolate-chamomile-curiosity-brew?note=134770
Bergamot Rose Laoshan Black from Verdant TeaThe recommended 2 minutes and 2 teaspoons for 1 cup of tea made a very nice first cup. The rose is somewhat berry-like in sweetness and flavor. The citrus and rose brought out the chocolatey flavor in the Laoshan black so much so that I thought there were cacao nibs in this blend.
The first cup was probably my favorite cup of Early Grey-like tea, but subsequent cups were somewhat lackluster. The second steeping was not nearly as strong nor as satisfying.
I just finished off my sampler. If I drink this tea again, I may try steeping it gong fu style to see if the flavor lasts longer. I'm afraid the rose flavor may not steep out as well that way though.Sat, 27 Oct 2012 14:08:14 -0400/teas/Bergamot%20Rose%20Laoshan%20Black/28245-bergamot-rose-laoshan-black?note=136771
Nansan Village 2004 Sheng from Verdant TeaI made the mistake of oversteeping this initially (steeped for about 2 minutes instead of 2 seconds initially). Subsequent re-steepings may have suffered from this, but the flavor held up better than I would have expected given how much I oversteeped it.
The liqueur smells like barbecued wood. The tea tastes similar to how it smells and has an aftertaste like prunes.Mon, 26 Nov 2012 14:25:04 -0500/teas/Nansan%20Village%202004%20Sheng/24974-nansan-village-2004-sheng?note=140956
Laoshan Bilochun Green from Verdant TeaI just drank my first few steepings of this tea. There are not yet brewing instructions on the website so I improvised based on previous experience with another bilochun tea which favored lower temperature steepings.
This tea tastes very similar to the usual Laoshan green to me but it seems to be a little sweeter and taste a little more more like snap peas.
The initial steeping was very good, but it became too bitter after that (from steeping too long I think).Fri, 30 Nov 2012 20:24:00 -0500/teas/Laoshan%20Bilochun%20Green/32444-laoshan-bilochun-green?note=141888
Mrs. Li's Shi Feng Dragonwell Green Tea from Verdant TeaSun, 02 Dec 2012 22:20:16 -0500/teas/Mrs.%20Li's%20Shi%20Feng%20Dragonwell%20Green%20Tea/30338-mrs-lis-shi-feng-dragonwell-green-tea?note=142266
Mrs. Li's Shi Feng Dragonwell Green Tea from Verdant TeaI prepared this tea gongfu style. I used about 3.5 grams for a 5 oz. gaiwan and steeped for a few seconds each steeping.
The tea grew much progressively over the first few steepings. The dried leaf smells slightly malty. The steeped tea is very sweet and quite vegetal in flavor.
The liquor was very light but fairly strong, though surprisingly I could still taste the flavor of the water through it. I used filtered tap water which wasn't bad, but I think a more flavorful water would have been better.Mon, 03 Dec 2012 00:36:10 -0500/teas/Mrs.%20Li's%20Shi%20Feng%20Dragonwell%20Green%20Tea/30338-mrs-lis-shi-feng-dragonwell-green-tea?note=142304
2005 CNNP Yunnan "zhong cha" brand Ripe from CNNPThis pu erh has a mellow but rich flavor that I'm not sure how to describe. It's not particularly smokey, bitter, fruity, fishy, or eathy. I would enjoy drinking this on a regular basis.Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:09:38 -0500/teas/2005%20CNNP%20Yunnan%20%22zhong%20cha%22%20brand%20Ripe/32851-2005-cnnp-yunnan-zhong-cha-brand-ripe?note=145368
Black Pearl from Mountain TeaWed, 19 Dec 2012 19:23:13 -0500/teas/Black%20Pearl/32517-black-pearl?note=145412
Taochaoju Laoman'e 2008 Fujian Storage from White 2 TeaThu, 20 Dec 2012 12:19:48 -0500/teas/Taochaoju%20Laoman'e%202008%20Fujian%20Storage/33065-taochaoju-laomane-2008-fujian-storage?note=145545
Fuhai 2007 Sheng Pu'er from Verdant TeaThis pu erh smells smokier than it tastes. The initial flavor is fairly smooth and is not nearly as bitter as I expected.
The smokiness fades as the tea is steeped more and longer steep times seem to bring out a stronger more prune-like flavor.
As the bold flavor and smokiness starts to fade in much later steepings the remaining smoothness reminds me of chocolate drink I've had from a Chocolate bar that was made extra thick with soy milk.Wed, 02 Jan 2013 14:17:34 -0500/teas/Fuhai%202007%20Sheng%20Pu'er/30813-fuhai-2007-sheng-puer?note=147981
2005 Longma Tongqing Qingbing from White 2 TeaI found this tea boring. The little flavor it has just reminds me of grass. I used 4 grams for a 4 oz. gaiwan. I may try using more tea next time.Thu, 03 Jan 2013 15:28:17 -0500/teas/2005%20Longma%20Tongqing%20Qingbing/33623-2005-longma-tongqing-qingbing?note=148216
Shui Xian Wuyi Oolong from Verdant TeaThe first steeping was very sweet, much sweeter than I expected. I tasted less of the woody flavor I associate with oolongs.
The second steeping was much less sweet and tasted much more like other oolongs I have had. There is still a unique lingering sweetness.
This tea didn't last as many steepings as I hoped it would, but it was very good while it lasted.Sat, 05 Jan 2013 14:12:05 -0500/teas/Shui%20Xian%20Wuyi%20Oolong/29089-shui-xian-wuyi-oolong?note=148632
2003 Fu Hai 7576 from White 2 TeaThis tea is very smooth and has a very rich flavor. I wish the flavor was a little stronger. I think this would be a very good introductory pu erh.
I used about 3 grams for a 3 oz. brew. I may try using about 6 grams next time.Thu, 10 Jan 2013 12:25:49 -0500/teas/2003%20Fu%20Hai%207576/33955-2003-fu-hai-7576?note=149815
2005 Longma Tongqing Qingbing from White 2 TeaThis time I steeped about 6 grams in a 4 oz. gaiwan. I did a 10 second rinse and about 20 seconds for each steeping.
The flavor had more smoke and less grass in than I remember. This is still my least favorite pu erh I've tried so far.Wed, 30 Jan 2013 12:49:39 -0500/teas/2005%20Longma%20Tongqing%20Qingbing/33623-2005-longma-tongqing-qingbing?note=154460
Moonlight White 2011 Pressed Cake from Verdant TeaThis is my favorite white tea so far. I wouldn't have identified this as white tea because I have only had experience with silver needle whites and fruity white teas before this one.
The tea is very sweet and the flavor reminds me of honey. The liquor is dark in color, somewhat like a dark oolong.
This tea always lasts me many steepings. I brew this at about 208F with 4 oz. of leaf in a 4 oz. gaiwan. I start at about 8 seconds and go up a few seconds at a time from there after the first few steepings.Wed, 06 Feb 2013 03:04:16 -0500/teas/Moonlight%20White%202011%20Pressed%20Cake/33068-moonlight-white-2011-pressed-cake?note=155889
Tea Trail 2004: Willow Grove Workshop from Verdant TeaIt took a few steepings for the flavor to start to come out.
This tea goes particularly well with strawberries with a little yogurt or whipped cream.Thu, 07 Feb 2013 12:33:53 -0500/teas/Tea%20Trail%202004:%20Willow%20Grove%20Workshop/27294-tea-trail-2004-willow-grove-workshop?note=156154
2012 Aka Zizao Bulang from White 2 TeaThis tea has a very complex flavor. It's smokey, sweet, and slightly fruit/prune-like. The raw tea smells very smokey and the liquor smells like campfire and cake.Tue, 12 Feb 2013 11:54:57 -0500/teas/2012%20Aka%20Zizao%20Bulang/35003-2012-aka-zizao-bulang?note=157113
Lao Tong Zhi 2011 Sheng Tuocha from Verdant TeaSun, 17 Feb 2013 17:23:03 -0500/teas/Lao%20Tong%20Zhi%202011%20Sheng%20Tuocha/32537-lao-tong-zhi-2011-sheng-tuocha?note=158099
2005 Longma Tongqing Qingbing from White 2 TeaI steeped 9 grams of this tea in a 4 oz. gaiwan. The tea was stronger and more flavorful than when I tried steeping 4 grams, but it's still too astringent for me and I still don't like the flavor much. This one isn't my cup of tea.Tue, 19 Mar 2013 18:12:18 -0400/teas/2005%20Longma%20Tongqing%20Qingbing/33623-2005-longma-tongqing-qingbing?note=164097
Songyang White from Verdant TeaThis was a very temperamental tea for me. Oversteeping or steeping at too high a temperature ruins the flavor.
The flavor reminds me of dark chocolate. It doesn't actually taste like chocolate like some black teas do, but it reminds me of the mouth feel and bite of dark chocolate.Tue, 02 Apr 2013 13:14:55 -0400/teas/Songyang%20White/23667-songyang-white?note=166785
Lao Tong Zhi 2012 Shu Pu'er Cake from Verdant TeaWed, 15 May 2013 20:47:58 -0400/teas/Lao%20Tong%20Zhi%202012%20Shu%20Pu'er%20Cake/32534-lao-tong-zhi-2012-shu-puer-cake?note=174639
2012 Dayi Hongyun mini-cake from White 2 TeaVery sweet and satisfying. This tea is not very pungent and might be a good introduction to puerh.Tue, 09 Jul 2013 13:24:54 -0400/teas/2012%20Dayi%20Hongyun%20mini-cake/38742-2012-dayi-hongyun-mini-cake?note=182959
Golden Buds Shu Pu'er Xingyang 2010 from Verdant TeaThis tea is sweet and the flavor reminds me of honey graham crackers. I rarely add chrysanthemum to this because I think it's sweet enough already.Thu, 11 Jul 2013 18:16:05 -0400/teas/Golden%20Buds%20Shu%20Pu'er%20Xingyang%202010/34910-golden-buds-shu-puer-xingyang-2010?note=183283
2005 Ripe Bulang Maocha from White 2 TeaThe dry tea smells somewhat creamy like white chocolate. It's fairly mild when brewed. Very palatableTue, 23 Jul 2013 12:21:34 -0400/teas/2005%20Ripe%20Bulang%20Maocha/38971-2005-ripe-bulang-maocha?note=184609
2006 Laoshuyuan Ripe (Zhongcha Tiepai) from White 2 TeaThis took more than a few steepings to open up and darken in color. A few of the darker steepings were fairly sweet but the sweetness faded quickly.Thu, 25 Jul 2013 12:26:27 -0400/teas/2006%20Laoshuyuan%20Ripe%20(Zhongcha%20Tiepai)/38973-2006-laoshuyuan-ripe-zhongcha-tiepai?note=184916
2010 Taochaju Nannuo Sicang from White 2 TeaVery smokey (pleasantly so).
I drank this with a spicy and creamy dish. The smokey flavor stood up well.Mon, 29 Jul 2013 21:37:29 -0400/teas/2010%20Taochaju%20Nannuo%20Sicang/38969-2010-taochaju-nannuo-sicang?note=185389
2008 Haichao Chenxiang from White 2 TeaI really like the flavor of this shu. It smells kind of nutty to me and the flavor reminds me slightly of yerba mate.Mon, 05 Aug 2013 12:00:17 -0400/teas/2008%20Haichao%20Chenxiang/38974-2008-haichao-chenxiang?note=186194
2011 Dashu Bulang from White 2 TeaTue, 06 Aug 2013 11:29:18 -0400/teas/2011%20Dashu%20Bulang/38967-2011-dashu-bulang?note=186328
2006 Tiandiren Bulang from White 2 TeaThe leaves of this one are very long. Usually I associate sheng with campfire smoke, but this one smells more like tobacco to me. From the strong smell, I expected this to taste more bitter and less sweet. It tastes smokey, but smooth and slightly fruity.Wed, 07 Aug 2013 19:09:56 -0400/teas/2006%20Tiandiren%20Bulang/37396-2006-tiandiren-bulang?note=186553
2012 Taochaju Mengsong Guyun from White 2 TeaSmells sweet and smokey. It's not too bland but not very bold. It's a little too bitter for my taste. It's not my favorite, but it's not bad.Thu, 15 Aug 2013 18:26:51 -0400/teas/2012%20Taochaju%20Mengsong%20Guyun/37032-2012-taochaju-mengsong-guyun?note=187649
2006 Laoshuyuan Ripe (Zhongcha Tiepai) from White 2 TeaChrysanthemums helped bring out more of the flavor. I also think this tea benefits from more tea (or less water) while steeping.Sat, 17 Aug 2013 19:49:58 -0400/teas/2006%20Laoshuyuan%20Ripe%20(Zhongcha%20Tiepai)/38973-2006-laoshuyuan-ripe-zhongcha-tiepai?note=187950
Guiyuan Roasted Dong Ding from SteepsterThis is one of my new favorite oolongs. It's very malty, like some of my favorite black teas but with more body.Wed, 01 Jan 2014 17:41:00 -0500/teas/Guiyuan%20Roasted%20Dong%20Ding/42300-guiyuan-roasted-dong-ding?note=212121
Houjicha Ichiban from SteepsterThis is my favorite Japanese tea so far. It has the roasted flavor of genmaicha but doesn't have the grassy flavor I usually associate with Japanese green teas.Thu, 06 Nov 2014 22:22:08 -0500/teas/Houjicha%20Ichiban/44401-houjicha-ichiban?note=272963
2009 "Moonlight White" Raw Cake from SOYI Tea Company (China Cha Dao)I really like this tea. It's reminiscent of a silver needle white tea (tastes soft and fuzzy), but it's rich like a black tea.
I brewed 4 grams in my 4 oz. gaiwan, starting at about 8 seconds for the first steeping.Sat, 08 Nov 2014 23:21:27 -0500/teas/2009%20%22Moonlight%20White%22%20Raw%20Cake/19330-2009-moonlight-white-raw-cake?note=273240
2011 Dashu Bulang from White 2 TeaFairly smokey and a little bitter. I think I'm still not a fan of sheng.Tue, 11 Nov 2014 15:42:36 -0500/teas/2011%20Dashu%20Bulang/38967-2011-dashu-bulang?note=273740
1997 7582 Private Order from White2TeaI don't know whether this is a shu or a sheng. Is this what sheng becomes after 17 years of aging? It's not as potent and fishy as most of the shu I drink. It seems slightly smokey, but not nearly as smokey as the young sheng I've had.
The flavor is subtle and a little grassy, but I enjoy it.Sat, 22 Nov 2014 13:20:01 -0500/teas/1997%207582%20Private%20Order/54163-1997-7582-private-order?note=275346
Duck Shhh Oolong from White2TeaIt smells somewhat sweet, like tutti-frutti. It tastes less floral than it smells. I haven't fallen in love with Dancongs yet, but this is one of the tastier ones I've had so far.Mon, 08 Dec 2014 19:33:00 -0500/teas/Duck%20Shhh%20Oolong/54878-duck-shhh-oolong?note=278175
2013 FT Feitai 7572 from White2TeaRich and sweetWed, 10 Dec 2014 17:18:10 -0500/teas/2013%20FT%20Feitai%207572/49842-2013-ft-feitai-7572?note=278530
Qianjiazhai Old Growth 2012 Sheng from Verdant TeaThis is the least smokey young sheng I've had so far. It smells a little smokey dry, but it smells fruity when wet. It tastes slightly fruity and I enjoyed eating it with some smokey gouda cheese.Fri, 19 Dec 2014 18:58:47 -0500/teas/Qianjiazhai%20Old%20Growth%202012%20Sheng/36134-qianjiazhai-old-growth-2012-sheng?note=280010
2008 Haichao Chenxiang from White 2 TeaWed, 07 Jan 2015 12:59:24 -0500/teas/2008%20Haichao%20Chenxiang/38974-2008-haichao-chenxiang?note=282552
Obsx Wuyi Yancha from White 2 TeaThis reminds me of a dancong, but less tart and more smooth chocolate-like. This is one of the smoothest oolongs I've had so far.Sun, 17 May 2015 15:40:51 -0400/teas/Obsx%20Wuyi%20Yancha/59313-obsx-wuyi-yancha?note=304895
2008 Haichao Chenxiang from White 2 TeaThis tea smells slightly tart and a little fruity. The first couple steepings taste a little smokey and then slightly tart, eventually sweetening more. After a few steepings it starts to leave an after-drinking mouth-feel like ceylon tea with milk. This is not currently one of my favorite shuos.
This tea may have changed due to the container it was stored in. I am using an air tight container which I believe had no smell beforehand, but I may be mistaken.Mon, 25 May 2015 13:25:34 -0400/teas/2008%20Haichao%20Chenxiang/38974-2008-haichao-chenxiang?note=305979
2003 Xiaguan Crane Mark Ripe from White2TeaThis doesn't smell like much when dry. After a rinse steeping the wet leaves smell sweet, like honey graham crackers. I have been rising my ripe pu-erhs twice.
Aged shou rarely tastes like much to me. This one isn't much different. It's only a little sweet, a little nutty, a little creamy, and not fishy at all. It's somewhat bland but still enjoyable. I enjoy this tea for soothing a raw throat.Mon, 25 May 2015 14:01:32 -0400/teas/2003%20Xiaguan%20Crane%20Mark%20Ripe/63681-2003-xiaguan-crane-mark-ripe?note=305981
Yong De Lao Cha Tou Ripe Pu-Erh Tea Nuggets from Yunnan SourcingThis smells like graham crackers and milk. It tastes sweet and silky, but it doesn't have the earthy flavor that most ripe pu-erh has. It's interesting but it's a little bland for my taste. This might be a good starter pu-erh.Tue, 21 Jul 2015 13:14:25 -0400/teas/Yong%20De%20Lao%20Cha%20Tou%20Ripe%20Pu-Erh%20Tea%20Nuggets/42942-yong-de-lao-cha-tou-ripe-pu-erh-tea-nuggets?note=311518
6 Years Aged Pearl Lao Cha Tou Ripe Pu-erh tea of Menghai from Yunnan SourcingSun, 18 Oct 2015 12:37:02 -0400/teas/6%20Years%20Aged%20Pearl%20Lao%20Cha%20Tou%20Ripe%20Pu-erh%20tea%20of%20Menghai/64269-6-years-aged-pearl-lao-cha-tou-ripe-pu-erh-tea-of-menghai?note=318402
2011 Dayi Wuzidengke Ripe Puer from White2TeaThis tea is very easy to drink. Due to the small leaves, the cake splits apart easily and it brews dark quickly. It doesn't last too many steepings because it brews quickly.
It's sweet, nutty, smooth, and not very stinky.Fri, 23 Oct 2015 14:24:53 -0400/teas/2011%20Dayi%20Wuzidengke%20Ripe%20Puer/47538-2011-dayi-wuzidengke-ripe-puer?note=318871
Yong De Wild Purple "Ye Sheng" Black Tea Spring 2015 from Yunnan SourcingI'm not a big fan of this hot, but I enjoy cold brewing it with a blend including huskier/bitter teas like yabao and sheng pu-erh.Fri, 27 Nov 2015 08:19:31 -0500/teas/Yong%20De%20Wild%20Purple%20%22Ye%20Sheng%22%20Black%20Tea%20Spring%202015/68243-yong-de-wild-purple-ye-sheng-black-tea-spring-2015?note=321798
2003 Hongyin from White 2 TeaSo far it seems I'm not usually a fan of older ripe pu-erh. I think this may have aged past my personal preferences.Mon, 21 Dec 2015 12:21:56 -0500/teas/2003%20Hongyin/70340-2003-hongyin?note=323899
2001 7542 Private Order from White 2 TeaTue, 22 Dec 2015 18:41:37 -0500/teas/2001%207542%20Private%20Order/70357-2001-7542-private-order?note=324020
2007 Menghai Tea Factory 7452 Ripe Puerh Tea Cake from Menghai Tea Factory (yunnan sourcing)Thu, 24 Dec 2015 15:29:32 -0500/teas/2007%20Menghai%20Tea%20Factory%207452%20Ripe%20Puerh%20Tea%20%20Cake/67023-2007-menghai-tea-factory-7452-ripe-puerh-tea-cake?note=324173
2009 Hai Lang Hao “Jin Hao Gong Bing” Ripe from Yunnan SourcingWed, 30 Dec 2015 15:24:36 -0500/teas/2009%20Hai%20Lang%20Hao%20%E2%80%9CJin%20Hao%20Gong%20Bing%E2%80%9D%20Ripe/69561-2009-hai-lang-hao-jin-hao-gong-bing-ripe?note=324647